MLB Player News

Wheeler (shoulder) is scheduled to throw three innings and/or 50 pitches in Saturday's rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Corey Seidman of PHLY Sports reports.

It will be Wheeler's first official game action since last September's venous thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. The Phillies will likely want Wheeler to get his pitch count up to the 80-to-90 range before clearing him for his season debut, so the right-hander will likely make two additional rehab starts after Saturday before returning in mid-April if all goes well.

The Nationals announced Wednesday that Varland won a spot on the Opening Day roster.

The 29-year-old right-hander didn't pitch in the majors at all in 2025 and threw only 6.1 innings in the minors in the White Sox system, but Varland looked healthy this spring while posting a 5.23 ERA and 13:4 K:BB over 10.1 innings. The back of the Washington bullpen is unsettled, and Varland could work his way into a high-leverage role with a quick start to the campaign.

Granillo has claimed a spot in the Nationals' Opening Day bullpen, Jessica Camerato and Paige Leckie of MLB.com report.

The 25-year-old right-hander made his MLB debut last season with the Cardinals, posting a 4.71 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB over 21 innings, before being traded to the Nationals early in February. Granillo is expected to fill a low-leverage role to begin his tenure with Washington.

Poulin has claimed a spot in the Nationals' Opening Day bullpen, Jessica Camerato and Paige Leckie of MLB.com report.

The 29-year-old will be one of three left-handers in the Washington bullpen, joining Cionel Perez and Ken Waldichuk. Poulin looked good this spring, posting a 0.00 ERA and 10:3 K:BB in 7.2 innings, but he may not see regular high-leverage work after producing a 3.65 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB over his first 24.2 big-league innings last season with two wins, a save and five holds in 28 appearances.

Schmitt started at first base and went 0-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch in Wednesday's 7-0 loss to the Yankees.

The 27-year-old reached first in the second inning after being hit by Max Fried, accounting for Schmitt's lone time on base during the Opening Day rout. The San Diego State product is expected to play a utility role in 2026, though he drew the start at first base Wednesday while Rafael Devers served as the designated hitter. Schmitt appeared in a career-high 95 regular-season games in 2025, slashing .237/.305/.401 with 40 RBI, 34 runs scored and 12 long balls in 348 plate appearances.

Tena will begin the season on the Nationals' 26-man roster, Jessica Camerato and Paige Leckie of MLB.com report.

Washington scooped up Jorbit Vivas from the Yankees late in camp to be its top utility option, but Tena is out of minor-league options and will remain on the bench as well, at least for now. Tena slashed .243/.314/.355 over 169 plate appearances last season with zero homers and three steals while seeing most of his time at third base.

Myers has secured a spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The former Brewer will handle long-relief duties alongside Sean Manaea to begin the season. Myers was effective as a swingman for Milwaukee in 2025, posting a 3.55 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 38:15 K:BB in 50.2 innings over 22 appearances (six starts).

Garcia has won a spot in the Mets' bullpen to begin the season, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 39-year-old right-hander has become a journeyman late in his career, and the Mets will be his eighth MLB team in the last eight seasons, including three separate stints with the Angels. Garcia has recorded double-digit holds in five straight campaigns, and between the Halos, Nationals and Dodgers in 2025 he produced a 3.42 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 48:26 K:BB over 55.1 innings.

Torrens has claimed a spot on the Mets' Opening Day roster, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 29-year-old gives New York a reliable option behind Francisco Alvarez, who has had some trouble staying healthy so far in his MLB career. Torrens slashed .226/.284/.345 in 283 plate appearances last season with five homers and 29 RBI.

Arraez went 1-for-3 with a walk in Wednesday's 7-0 loss to the Yankees.

Arraez drew a leadoff walk in the first inning and singled to right field in the eighth, extending his regular-season hitting streak to 16 games dating back to Sept. 10 of last season. The 28-year-old infielder was one of just three Giants to record a hit in the Opening Day rout. He's expected to operate as San Francisco's everyday second baseman after splitting time between first base, second base and DH with the Padres in 2025, when he slashed .292/.327/.392 with 66 runs scored, 61 RBI, 11 stolen bases and eight long balls across 675 plate appearances in 154 regular-season games.